Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 54

Author: McFarland, Joseph Fulton; Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co. (Chicago) pbl
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 898

USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Washington > Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II > Part 54

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GEORGE C. SCHILEHR, vice-president of the Ells- worth National Bank, at Ellsworth, Pa., and chief clerk of the Ellsworth Colleries Company, at this point, was born at Buffalo, N. Y., August 6, 1871, and is a son of Leonard C. and Emma (Sandell) Sehlehr.

George C. Schlehr was reared at Buffalo and after leaving the high school, took a commercial course in the Bryant and Stratton Business College, following which he entered into the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and continued with that corporation for fifteen years. In 1903. Mr. Schlehr came to Ellsworth and has been prominently identified with its leading interests ever since. This is termed a model mining town. The visitor is astonished to see the neat brick or tile houses for the employes of the four mines situated here, the clean, well-kept streets, the handsome business houses and the attractive railroad station, and in comparing it with other mining towns where the workmen are foreed to occupy frame shacks and shanties with none of the comforts and few of the actual necessities of eivilized living, he is enthusiastic over the appearance of Ells- worth. It was laid out in 3900 by J. W. Ellsworth, of Hudson, Ohio, formerly of Chicago, III., and completed in 1901. It was the aim of Mr. Ellsworth to make Ells- worth, Pa., a model mining town, and laid it out in old English style in type of houses and buildings, including a building on the style of an old English tap room, where beer is sold in restricted quantities. ^At each end of the room in question is situated a large open fire place, six feet in width, with logs as fuel. A restaurant is also attached. Lawns, trees, shrubbery and a well-kept mac- adam road go to make the village very attractive.

The Ellsworth Collieries Company employs 1,600 men at this point and 600 more at Cokeburg. The capacity

of the mines is about three million tons per year, and includes one of the most successful waste heat systems in this country. The plant was installed under the su- pervision of General Superintendent W. R. Calverley, who, at the present time, is with the Berwind- White Coal Mining Company, as general superintendent of the Windher district, Windber, Pa.

Mr. Schlehr is chief clerk of the immense office force required to do the necessary official business. The Na- tional Bank of Ellsworth is a separate corporation. Its officers are: E. A. S. Clark, of New York City, presi- dent; George C. Schlehr, vice-president ; L. . 1. Foot, cashier ; . I. P. Higginson, assistant cashier; and Marshall Lapham, auditor. The directors are: E. A. S. Clark, who is also president of the Lackawanna Steel Company, G. C. Sehlehr, Henry Burns, W. R. Calverley and Ben- jamin Holliday.

Mr. Schlebr was married to Miss Sarah Josephine Per- lette, a native of Canada, and they have two children: Maud Myrtle Sandell, and Naiomi Violet. Mr. Schlebr is identified with the Masons, belonging to the MeKean Commandery, No. 80, at Charleroi, Pa., and the Syrian Temple at Pittsburg, and is also an Odd Fellow.

GEN. JJAMES B. RUPLE, deceased. For many years Gen. Ruple was prommently identified with the affairs of Washington, Pa., and served with honor in a number of important official positions in the county. He was born at Washington, Pa., June 3, 1812, and was a son of James and Diana (Goodrich) Ruple.

The Ruple family is of German extraction and it was established on American soil in early colonial days. Bal- tis Ruple, the grandfather, was a resident of Philadel- phia during the Revolutionary War, later moved to Mor- ris County, N. J., and from there, in 1794, to Wash- ington County, Pa., where he died in 1794. lle was twice married. having three children born to his first union : Ruth, John and Samuel. His second marriage was to Anna MeCollum and they had five children: James, David, Elizabeth, Mary and Margaret. The widow of Baltis Ruple married Maj. Charles Cracraft, who was distinguished as an Indian fighter on the frontier and was held captive by the savages a number of times.

Col. James Ruple, father of Gen. Ruple, was born in New Jersey, February IS, 17Ss, and was six years of age when he accompanied his parents to Washington County. He attended the subscription schools of that period and learned the trade of carpenter and joiner and also engaged in the manufacture of brick and the build- ing of fanning mills. He found a large outlay of capital was required to buy the woven wire screens for his mills and therefore decided to endeavor to manufacture it himself. His natural inventive talent enabled him to construct an apparatus that proved a success and gave

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

him an opportunity to enlarge his business and increase his capacity until he included in his manufactures, roll- ing screens for flonring mills, sieves, riddles, and also wire rat and mouse traps, fenders for fire places and other useful articles and utensils. As a man of business he was very prominent and later became equally so as a soldier. He served in the War of 1812 as adjutant of a Pennsylvania regiment, and was assigned to the Niagara frontier, but the regiment was subsequently disbanded and as his health was poor, he returned home. In 1814, when the city of Baltimore was attacked, he set out in command of a company to aid in its defense, but these services were not needed. After the close of the war he was commissioned a colonel in the uniformed militia and for many years was in command of a regiment. In polities hè was a Jacksonian Democrat and served in a number of county offices.

In 1809, Col. Ruple was married to Diana Goodrich, a native of New York and a daughter of Jesse Good- . rich, who located in Washington County late in the eighteenth century. The Goodrich family was of Eng- lish origin and was established in America by two broth- ers of the name, in 1648. One of these brothers was sub- sequently lost at sea but the other settled in Connecticut and became the progenitor of one of the most prominent families of New England. To Col. Ruple and wife were born the following children: Elizabeth, who married Jolin Ruth; James B .; Minerva, who married Henry M. Bristor; Joseph C., who lived in Washington County at the time of his death; Samuel H .; Sarah, who married William Acheson; Rebecca, who married Rev. L. P. Strea- tor; Anna, who married John D. Braden; and John, David, Henry and Ruth. Col. Ruple died January S, 1855, and was survived by his widow until December, 1875.

James B. Rnple attended the subscription schools of his native place and when twelve years old began to as- sist his father in his shop, helping in the weaving of the wire for the fanning mills. When fourteen years old he became afflicted with a disease that partially disabled him for some years but did not prevent his serving as a clerk in one of the county offices. In 1832 he went to Greenbrier County, Va., where he remained until the winter of 1835-6, engaged in the manufacture of fanning mills. At this time he accepted a situation in the office of John A. North, who was clerk of the Court of Ap- peals for the Western District of Virginia. In the spring of 1836, however, he returned to Washington, where he accepted a clerkship in the postoffice for some months, when his health again gave way and after re- tiring from office work he then engaged in cabinetmak- ing. He entered into business in Louisiana but again ill health interferred and the malaria he contracted in

the South followed him to such au extent that in 1837 he was obliged to retire for a time from all business.

In January, 1839, Gen. Ruple was appointed clerk in the office of the secretary of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, at Harrisburg, and this he accepted and served most efficiently until 1845, under Governor David R. Porter. Prior to retiring from this official position, he had purchased a one-half interest in the Washington "Examiner,"' a weekly publication, and for four years was associated with T. W. Grayson in the proprietorship of that paper. In 1852 he was appointed deputy to Sheriff John McAllister and served as such for three years, and for two subsequent years he served as acting prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas, during the illness of Prothonotary W. S. Moore. In 1857 he was elected prothonotary and in 1860 he was re-elected to this office and gave eight years of useful and valuable service in this position. In 1869 or 1870 he was ap- pointed assessor of internal revenue for 24th Pennsyl- vania District. After retiring from this office he lived practically removed from business activity. For an ex- tended period he was closely identified with the militia of the State and took pride in the efficient organization. In 1836 he was elected captain of a volunteer company and in 1846 he was appointed by Governor Shunk as one of his aides, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and in 1855 he was commissioned a general in the State militia and by this title he was ever afterward known. In 1848 he had been made a Mason and in 1841 he became an Odd Fellow and with this organization he was prominent- ly connected for years. In 1852 he was chosen grand representative to the Grand Lodge of the order in the United States, being the first representative sent from western Pennsylvania. In 1843-44 he was district dep- uty grand master of the Harrisburg District, and in 1845, 1846, 1847 and 1848, of the Washington District. His interests had been so many and his life of so much use- fulness that ho was very widely known. His family connec- tions associated him with many of the leading people of Washington County, and his kindred take pride in the relationship.

On September 24, 1839, James B. Ruple was married to Miss Sarah A. Mayes, a daughter of Charles Mayes, and seven children were born to this union, namely : Charles M .; James Goodrich; Virginia A., who is the widow of Rev. J. J. Jones; Anna M .; Frank W .; Cather- ine, who married William M. Thompson; and Etta M., who is the wife of Dr. A. J. Culbertson, who is a prom- inent dental surgeon at Washington. In his early po- litical career, Gen. Ruple was a Democrat, but after the organization of the Republican party and the spreading of its principles, he became one of its strongest sup- porters.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

WILLIAM COURSON, a member of the board of di- rectors of the poor, for Washington County, l'a., resides in Amwell Township, near Braddock Station, where he owns a farm of 171 acres of highly improved land and occupies what is probably the finest rural home in Wash- ington County, this being a commodious residence of modern construction. Mr. Conrson was born in North Franklin Township, Washington County, Pa., April 28. 1849, and is a son of Benjamin and Lucinda (Carter) Courson.

Benjamin Coursou was born in New Jersey and re- mained there until he was twenty years of age when he came to Washington County, settling at that time near the site of Washington, in what is now North Franklin Township. He engaged in farming and stock raising and also did business as an auctioneer. Some years previous to his death, in 1897, he retired to Washington. He married Lucinda Carter, who was born in Amwell Township and was a daughter of Isaac Carter and a granddaughter of William Carter, who was one of Am- well Township's early settlers. He owned large traets of land and also operated one of the pioneer grist mills, on North Ten-Mile Creek. To this mill came the settlers for many miles around and he conducted the mill for a long period.

William Conrson spent the larger part of his early life in Amwell Township and remained with his parents until he reached maturity. When he started out for him- self he engaged in farming in Amwell Township and for three years was in partnership with H. M. Keeney, their operations including the buying and shipping of stock. Later he continued the business by himself and in 1883 he settled on his present farm, where he has resided ever since. This land is very valuable and Mr. Conrson, by his improvements, has added materially to its worth. In 1898 he erected his beautiful home, and in 1906 built the home in which his son lives on the farm.

For many years Mr. Courson has been one of Am- well Township's most active, useful and public spirited citizens. In recognition of these qualities he has fre- quently been invited to hold offices of importance, and for twelve conseentive years he has served as road super- visor and for three years as township auditor, and is serving in his second term as a director of the poor for Washington County, formerly being chairman of the board. In his political views he is a Republican. He has interested himself in the extension of that great pub- lic convenience, the telephone, and is a director in the Farmers' Mutual Telephone Company, of Washington County, and his son, John Courson, is a lineman for the company.

Mr. Courson was married to Miss Sydney Watson, who was born in Amwell Township and is a daughter of

William Watson, formerly a prominent citizen, and to this marriage six children have been born, namely : Lillie, who married Albert Horn, of North Franklin Township; Herschel V. and William E., both of whom live in Am well Township; Ray G., who resides in North Franklin Township; John Il., who resides in Amwell Township; and one who is dereased. Mr. Courson has three sisters and one brother, as follows; Nancy, who is the wife of John W. Van Kirk, of Washington; Jane, who is the wife of William Galley, of Washington; and Fannie and Frank, both of whom live at Washington. Mirs. Courson has three sisters, namely: Sadie, who is the wife of Abel Shipe and lives in Amwell Township; and Catherine, who is the wife of Alexander McFre, residing near Wash- ington, Pa. Mr. Courson is president of the board of trustees of Liberty Methodist Episcopal Church at Van Kirk Station.

ALFRED G. BRADEN, senior member of the promi- ment law firm of Braden & Campbell, at Washington. Pa., is equally well known here as an educator, having been principal of the public schools of Washington from 1×84 to 1897. Ile is a native of Washington Borough, born October 16, 1858, and is a son of Hon. John B. and Anna (Ruple) Braden.

Alfred G. Braden completed the public school course at Washington, graduating with eredit from the high school, after which he pursued a four years' classical course in Washington and Jefferson College. He then turned his attention to civil engineering and for three years served as a civil engineer, for one year being con- norted with the Pittsburg Southern Railroad and for two years with the Chartiers and Youghiogheny Railroad Company. In 1884 he accepted the appointment of prin- cipal of the public schools of Washington and in large measure their superior efficiency may be attributed to his strenuous efforts to raise their standard. During this professional engagement be quietly prepared him- self for the law and was admitted to the bar in 1995. began practice in 1897, and since has given his whole attention to his practice and has established his reputa- tion as an able lawyer and one in whose hands the in- terests of his clients are safe.

On July 21, 1886, Mr. Braden was married to Miss Ida Mann Hall, a daughter of John H. and Irene Jane (How- ell) Hall, of Wheeling W. Va. The grandfather of Mrs. Braden was Stewart Hall, of County Tyrone, Ireland, who was a son of John Hall, a native of Essex, Eng- land. Her mother is of Scotch deseent. To Mr. and Mrs. Braden the following children have been born: Ida R., Laura H., Alfred G., Anna R., Edith, John McIntyre and Irene H., the latter of whom is deceased. Mr. Braden and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In his political views he is a Democrat.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

JOHN C. VAN KIRK, deceased. The Van Kirk family has been a prominent and substantial one in Washington County for some generations, and there was no more respected or esteemed member of it than the late John C. Van Kirk, who lived a long and honor- able life in Amwell Township and died there February 17, 1897. He was a son of Capt. Joseph and Eliza (Corwin) Van Kirk, both natives of Washington County.

The late John C. Van Kirk was given such school advantages as the neighborhood afforded at the period of his boyhood, after which he devoted himself closely to his agrienltural operations, which were extensive, and to performing the duties of the offices to which he was frequently elected by his fellow citizens, who recognized in him a man of sterling worth and ripe judgment. For a long period Mr. Van Kirk devoted his farm of 244 acres in Amwell Township mainly to stock raising and made a specialty of sheep, sometimes having flocks of 300, and also took mneh interest in breeding Shorthorn cattle. His stock possessed such merit that it fre- quently bore off the prizes when exhibited at the county fairs. In politics he was a Democrat. He favored and supported the public schools although mainly self.edu- ·cated himself, and for nine consecutive years served as a member of the school board of Amwell Township, during a part of this time being president of that body. He was a liberal supporter of the Presbyterian Church at Amity.

On February 19, 1857, Mr. Van Kirk was married to Miss Mary E. MeClenathan, who was born in Greene County, Pa., July 17, 1833. Her parents were John and Irena (Van Dyke) MeClenathan, both of whom were born in Washington County. Her grandparents were William and Mary McClenathan, natives of New Jersey, who were early settlers in Amwell Township. John Me- Clenathan was twice married and the surviving children of his first nnion are: Mary E., who is Mrs. Van Kirk; Catherine, who is the widow of Craig Van Emman, re- sides in Texas; and Thomas F., who lives in Colorado. John MeClenathan was married (second) to Rachel Car- ter, of Washington County, and they had four children, the two survivors being: John, who is a practicing physician at Connellsville, Pa., and William F., who lives in Amwell Township. To Mr. and Mrs. Van Kirk two. daughters were born: Irena M. and Katie F., both of whom reside on the homestead farm with their mother. Mrs. Van Kirk is a member of Liberty Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church at Van Kirk Station. She has a wide circle of friends and is much beloved by all who know her. The Van Kirks and MeClenathans are numbered with the representative families of Washington County.

JOHN H. VAN KIRK, one of South Franklin Town- ship's representative citizens, whose two farms, one of

106 acres and the other of 125 acres are both situated here, has long been prominent in advancing enterprises which are for the general welfare of this section and has been an able champion of the good roads movement. He was born in Washington County, Pa., in what is now South Franklin Township, July 12, 1844, and is a son of Joseph and Martha (Adams) Van Kirk,

Joseph Van Kirk was a son of Joseph Van Kirk, who was a son of John Van Kirk, who was a native of New Jersey and settled in Amwell Township, Washington County, at an early day. The second Joseph Van Kirk spent his whole life in South Franklin Township, where he died in 1871. He was a man of business integrity and of such excellent reputation that he was frequently elected to responsible township offices. He was one of the liberal supporters of the Presbyterian Church at East Buffalo. He was twice married, to his first union having four children born to him, three of whom died young. One danghter survived to maturity and became the wife of Colin Dickerson, but is now deceased. His second marriage was to Martha Adams, who was born in Buffalo Township, Washington County, and they had fonr children, there being two survivors: John H. and Margaret, the latter of whom is the widow of the late Silas Tharp, of Amwell Township, where she lives.

John H. Van Kirk attended the district schools near his home through a happy boyhood and then turned bis strength and energies to assisting his father in his large agricultural operations. Sheep growing has always been profitable in Washington County and Mr. Van Kirk profited by his father's success and later by his own ex- perience and has been one of the most successful sheep raisers in this section. After experimenting, he decided on the Delaine breed of sheep as being the one most profitable, and makes a specialty of raising this kind for its fine and abundant wool. He also breeds Shorthorn and .Jersey cattle and his herds are among the best in South Franklin Township. Although his large acreage has demanded much care and his stock constant super- vision, Mr. Van Kirk has found time to work in the in- terest of good roads, believing that this is a vital sub- ject to agriculturists. He is a member of the American Roadmakers' Association, an organization working along the lines in which he is interested, and he has served most usefully as township road supervisor, for three years, applying his knowledge and making nse of his experience as far as has been found expedient. Along other lines Mr. Van Kirk has also demonstrated his valne as an earnest and valuable citizen.

Mr. Van Kirk married Miss Margaret Noble, of Bnf- falo Township, Washington County, a daughter of the late Robert Noble, and they have had five children, name- ly : an infant who died unnamed; Mary V., who married John N. Patterson, of Washington; Robert N., who re-

MR. AND MRS. JOHN C. VAN KIRK

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

sides in South Franklin Township; Martha B., who mar ried John Il. Jack, of Washington; and Sarah M., who is now deceased, was the wife of Christopher Altvater, leaving a son named James Altvater. Mr. Van Kirk and family are members of the Presbyterian Church at East Buffalo, in which he has been an elder for a quar. ter of a century and has shown his deep interest in the children of the church by serving as superintendent of the well attended Sunday school. Like his father before him, the principles of the old Democratic party have seemed most in accordance with his views on publie questions.

CHARLES M. RUPLE. one of Washington's best known citizens and a leading member of her bar, was benn June 14, 1940, at Harrisburg, Pa., where his parents were residing at the time, his father filling an official position in the office of the secretary of state. He is a member of one of the prominent old Washington County families, a son of Gen. James B. and Sarah A. ( Mlayes) Ruple.

Charles M. Ruple was four years old when his parents returned from Harrisburg to Washington and he was reared in the midst of educational and social advantages. When he graduated from the public schools of Washing ton he was elected valedictorian of his class and then entered Washington College. His entrance into business was in the capacity of a clerk in the prothonotary's of- fico at Washington, with which his father was identified for many years, and there he was engaged until 1864. Later he served as deputy prothonotary for a time and then went to Beaver County and served in the office of Capt. John Cuthbertson, until May 1, 1865. He had already made some progress in the study of law and after he returned to Washington he continued his reading, in the office of Attorney Boyd Crumrine, his earliest pro- ceptor, Attorney Robert H1. Koontz, having died in the meantime. In 1966. Mr. Ruple was admitted to the bar and in the same year was commissioned a notary public. by Governor Curtin. He served as a notary until 1853 and during tive years of this time served also as deputy clerk of the courts. In I\\3 he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, to which he was re-elected in 1598, serving until 1993. In that year he entered into a law partnership with T. MeK. Hughes, under the style of Hughes & Ruple, a firm that has a very high stand- ing in Washington County. He is one of the county's active Republicans and his loyalty to party and friends has frequently been acknowledged. He is serving his city at present in a number of capacities, being secretary of the board of health, secretary of the Citizens' Library Association, and he is also memorial secretary of the Bar Association.

In April. 1877. Mr. Ruple was married to Miss Lide J.

Moore, a daughter of David Moore, of Monongahela City. They reside at No. 167 North Main street, and he maintains his office at No. 35 South Main street.

JOHN W. QUIVEY, superintendent of the Washing. ton County llome, owns a valuable farm of sixty eight aeres, situated in Chartiers Township, one and one-half miles northwest of Houston. This land is a part of his grandfather's old farm and has been in the family for over fifty years. Mir. Quivey is a member of an old and representative county family, and was born May 12. 1864, in Chartiers Township, Washington Co., Pa., and is a son of dames and Mary ( White) Quivey.

The Quivey family was established in Washington County by the great grandfather, Daniel Quivey. who came from New Jersey, settling here when the country was almost a wilderness. He reared a family and his son, Daniel Quivey, was born in Washington County in 1804, and died on the farm in Chartiers Township, which his descendants own, in 1877. He married Julia lolland, who was born near Bentleyville, Washington County, in 1505, and died in Is89.

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 54

Author: McFarland, Joseph Fulton; Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co. (Chicago) pbl Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 898

Author: McFarland, Joseph Fulton; Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co. (Chicago) pbl
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 898